Pupils and Parents Information

Learning to play a musical instrument requires a good deal of time and commitment and it is important to establish quickly and then maintain a proper practice routine. Parental support is vital in this. Daily practice is absolutely essential if pupils are to make measurable progress. A drop off in personal practice could result in lessons discontinuing. Your child's teacher will advise on the appropriate amount and content of practice per day. 

Lessons

All new pupils will be placed on a one term trial in order that they may be assessed both for their suitability to continue and for commitment to their chosen instrument. At the end of the first term a report will be sent to parents and a copy to the child's school. Demand is so high, that we cannot always start pupils on their preferred instrument. However, once started, we would expect the pupil to continue on that instrument.

Lessons are given weekly, usually in curriculum time, and are normally on a small group basis. In secondary schools, lessons are given on a rotating timetable, in order to avoid missing the same academic lesson each week. In primary schools we try to give lessons on the same day and time each week, but some schools are visited on a rotating timetable. It is the responsibility of pupils to excuse themselves in advance of their instrumental lesson and they will be expected to make up any work missed.

Parents and pupils will both be asked to sign a Home - Service agreement, which outlines the service we provide and what is expected from pupils and parents.

Pupils having lessons with the Jersey Instrumental Music Service may not also have lessons on the same intrument privately. This is partly to enable as many pupils as possible to benefit from instrumental tuition in a high demand situation and also because there can be conflicts of teaching methods and work set by different teachers, leading to the imposition of unreasonable  workloads on pupils.

In the event of problems arising with a pupil's work, progress, behaviour, etc., following consultation with parents and teachers, if appropriate, a half term period of probation will be instigated. At the end of this period the situation will be reviewed and, if there is no significant change, then lessons will cease. The decision of the Head of  Instrumental Service is final in this respect.

Examinations

Should pupils make good progress it may well be in their interest to take occasional external examinations set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, for which an entry fee is required. Instrumental staff will ensure that parents are consulted in writing at an early stage. No entry will be made for such an examination before parental permission has been obtained and the appropriate fee received.

Instruments

Wherever possible, an instrument will initially be provided by the Service, but it is hoped that parents will buy one for their child when progress is well established and when a change to a more advanced / larger instrument is appropriate. This will also help free up valuable resources and provide as many children as possible with the same opportunity.

There are nevertheless still occasions when, although we have the time to take on beginners, we do not have sufficient instruments available and, if this is the case, parents will be asked to hire or buy an instrument from the outset, in order that lessons may commence.

Music & Accessories

Parents will be responsible for buying music, providing a personal music stand and buying instrument accessories, such as reeds and strings, where necessary.

Instrument Purchase Scheme

The Education Department operates an interest free purchase scheme for musical  instruments, in order to help parents buy children  their own instrument. To set the scheme in motion parents should write to the Head of Service, after consultation with the pupil's instrumental teacher, stating make, model, price and from where the instrument is to be purchased. The Head of Service will purchase the instrument on the parents' behalf and then liaise with parents over the purchase scheme.

Care of Instrument

The Service will undertake to ensure that all instruments issued will be in good working order. In the event of any instrument requiring attention, please consult your child's instrumental teacher. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT YOURSELF. Parents will be responsible for the cost of repair unless it is deemed to be as a result of normal wear and tear. Your child will be issued with a set of instructions on how to look after their particular instrument. 

Instrument Insurance

All Instrumental Service loaned instruments are covered by a blanket States of Jersey insurance policy, which covers against accidental damage, or loss. Any claim through this policy is subject to a £500 excess and, although each teacher issues a care of instrument sheet, accidents do happen. It is essential that parents cover instruments on loan, either through their own household policy, or through a dedicated insurance policy, for accidental damage or loss up to £500. For some instruments this will be the full cost of replacement. Parents will be asked to sign and return an insurance form, accepting responsibility to insure the instrument in their care, up to £500, before the instrument will be issued. If you are unsure, please contact your child's instrumental teacher for advice. 

Introductory Meeting